Are public spaces in Indian cities responsive to the creative aspirations of youth? Does the design of public realms provide innovative spaces for artistic and cultural expression? The last decade has witnessed incredible reconfigurations of city life — be it the fluid way in which the youth work, balancing multiple interests, or new forms recreation. Emboldened by this youthful spirit, cities are experiencing a surge of creative energy for the arts, technology, sports, entertainment, music and much more.
Koothambalam Cabral Yard at the Kochi Biennale. | Photo Credit: Anagram Architects
On an average, UN-Habitat estimates that over 60% of urban populations would be below the age of 20, by 2030. This is manifesting in diverse ways in our cities. For instance, the Kochi Biennale carved out cultural spaces in a heritage town by re-imagining the yards and colonial structures into art expressions for the youth and the city. The role of women artists through performative arts and theatre also brings a new spirit to urban cultural spaces. Temporary structures such as the Koothambalam, built of bamboo, steel, and fabric, create flexible performance spaces, inviting spontaneity through alternative theatre, performative arts, dialogues, and music.
La Nuit Blanche at the Alliance Francaise-Madras. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The recent La Nuit Blanche festival, an all-night celebration, held at the Alliance Francaise-Madras invited youth participation — with dance, music, jazz, local heritage, art, storytelling and much more. Temporary tents of steel frame and fabric, strobe lights, and a make-shift stage transformed the space, imbuing a spirit of freedom and expression. The auditorium complemented the festive spirit with informal spaces for sitting on the ground.
La Nuit Blanche at the Alliance Francaise-Madras. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
A recent competition for a café-library at the Alliance Francaise-Madras, broke old stereotypical modes of library design. The competition invited university students and young designers to re-imagine the library as a café, recalling the iconic bistros of Paris. Outdoor tables with awnings, vivid colours, music, and lush landscaping — ideal spaces for meetings, book readings, conversations, games and exchanging ideas over coffee.
Vinyasa, Jaipur | Photo Credit: Vinyasa Earth, Jaipur
Cultural spaces like Vinyasa in Jaipur reveal new ways of design that are both ecological and affordable. Each structure is creatively designed, using sustainable materials and natural building techniques, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The spaces have a distinctive character that enrich the experience, harmonising with the natural surroundings. The Open Studio at Vinyasa is a large bamboo canopy, providing a safe space for collaborations through the medium of workshops and art residencies in a natural setting. Devoid of any walls, the fluid space connects to the surrounding nature. It is versatile and can adapt to a diverse range of festivities and youth programmes.
The courtyards, landscapes, and mud and bamboo structures provide the arena for youthful exuberance and discourse, and empower youth to delve into experimentation through art and theatre.
Vinyasa, Jaipur | Photo Credit: Vinyasa Earth, Jaipur
Architects such as Charles Correa, Jan Gehl, Jane Jacobs, and Steven Holl recognise the transformative potential of youth cultural spaces, to humanise urban living conditions. The Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, emboldened by colourful, festive, temporary structures, spurred vibrant urban life as veritable hubs of youth gatherings. The design of these temporary spaces is complemented by interactive installations, greenery, and cafes.
Unwind Center, Chennai. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The Unwind Center in Chennai, with an interior of vivid colours and graphics on the wall, is fast emerging as a youth centre and hangout for artists, performers, and music fans.
Unwind Center, Chennai. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The practice of Kalaripayattu, a traditional martial art, both at SPACES in Besant Nagar and Central Park in New York City, transcends geographical inhibitions. SPACES is constructed in steel with exposed brick walls, terracotta tiled Kerala roof, and natural stone floor. While green grass and trees of Central Park become a spontaneous ground for practitioners like Swati Prasad, founder of Kommunity Earth.
Children’s Cultural Centre, Nepal. | Photo Credit: Abari Architecture
Well-designed temporary structures draped in fabric, empower a pursuit of yoga, sports on the beach-front and in city-parks, in this multifaceted youthful exploration, of public and cultural spaces. Complemented with nature clubs, including all age-groups, they foster an environmental stewardship as well.
New forms of street theatre and experimental performances are tools for youth expression. The minimal spirit of street theatre to convey stories and cultural narratives, also engages with urban audiences with a much wider diversity, combining education with entertainment.
The annual The Hindu Lit for Life brings young authors, thinkers, artists, scientists, environmentalists, architects, transforming urban imaginations.
Renovating derelict spaces, to bring in new life, celebrate, experiment, nurture and inspire youthful expression. A new realisation is emerging, that cities can remain vibrant centres of recreation, experimental arts, and dialogues, through the investment in the design of cultural spaces for youth.
The writer is founding Principal at Artes Roots Collaborative.
Published - January 10, 2025 04:57 pm IST
